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United Russia Confirms Medvedev As Party Chief


Russian Prime Minister and new leader of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev
Russian Prime Minister and new leader of the United Russia party Dmitry Medvedev
Russia's ruling United Russia party has confirmed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as its new chief.

A party congress in Moscow on May 26 overwhelmingly approved Medvedev's candidacy to take over from President Vladimir Putin as party leader.

No other candidate stood for the post.

Medvedev who until recently had held the presidency since 2008 joined the United Russia party just four days ago.

Putin has led the party since 2007 but never formally joined.

Putin began a third term as president earlier this month after serving as prime minister under Medvedev.

United Russia has dominated the Russian parliament for a decade, but saw its popularity decline in December's parliamentary elections.

Those election results sparked unprecedented mass protests amid allegations of widespread fraud.

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax

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